Welt for boots or shoes.



No. 707,076. Patented Aug. l9, I902.

J. U. BICKNELL.

WELT FOR BOOTS OB SHOES.

(Application filed Mar. 18, 1902.)

(No Modem Fig-5- Q c 7 Fl 7 Fig.5

WITHEEEEE: IFNE JTU UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN O. BIOKNELL, OF WEYMOUTI-I, MASSACHUSETTS.

WELT FOR BOOTS OR SHOES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 707,076, dated August 19, 1902'.

Application filed March 13, 1902. Serial No. 98,081. (No model.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN O. BICKNELL, of VVeyuiouth, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in \Velts for Boots or Shoes, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to welts for boots or shoes; but it will also apply to any narrow strip of material that is used at the edges orjunctions in construction wherein curvatures are employed.

The exact construction and use of my improvements may be best u nderstood by reference to the drawings and description thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan showing a portion of one of my welts as it appears when curved. Fig. 2 is'a plan showing a portion of one of my welts as it appears when ,unbent. Fig. 3 is an edge View of a portion of one of my welts. Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4 a of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of one of my welts. Fig. 6 shows in cross-section a welt-stripthat is, a strip of leather or other material wide enough for two welts. Fig. 7 is a view in perspective, showing the shape of the piece that is cut away at each slit.

In making my welt the first operation is to cut a strip wide enough for two welts. (See Fig. 6.) Then cutthis strip into two parts W and W, the out being inclined, as shown at C 0. Thus each welt has an inclined inner edge and is about three-fourths of an inch in extreme width. This method of cutting not only saves leather, but makes a welt that is turned much easier around the toe or heel, inasmuch as it tends to lessen the overlap of the tongues. Being an undercut strip, they will not gain in thickness on the turns as fast as though their inner edges were unbeveled. The tongues are partly made by 'making transverse cuts, as indicated by the lines parallel to the dotted line B B, Fig. 3. This cutting or slitting on transverse inclined lines is not new, although it is one feature of my welt. The next operation is to make a series of shearing cuts parallel to the line D D of Fig. 3. This action will cut out a small Wedge-like piece from the upper part of each tongue, the shape of the piece thus cut out being shown in Fig. 7. The cutting out and removal of this small wedge-like piece from each tongue enables me to bend the welt without causing it to bunch up or increase in thickness at the points of greatest curvature. I

In machine-sewing-as, for instance, the McKay and some other methods of throughand-through work-my welt furnishes a perfect seat for the sole, not gathering nor gaining in thickness in the turns, nor does it on its outer curves leave spaces through which the needle or other fastening may pass without securing the parts.

The distinguishing feature of my welt is the cutting or slicing off of a wedge-shaped piece from each tongue, thus making room for the overlaps, that would otherwise cause a thickening of the same in the curves at the toe and heel, or, in general terms, wherever an incurve occurs.

I claim- 1. A welt-strip havinginclined lateral cuts, thereby forming tongues and admitting of bending, each of said tongues havinga wedgeshaped portion removed, whereby the bending of the welt will not cause an increase of thickness, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. Awelt-strip having one vertical edge and one inclined edge, and having inclined lateral cuts extending from the inclined edges toward the center, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 12th day of March, A. D. 1902.

JOHN O. BICKNELL. Witnesses:

FRANK G. PARKER, JOHN B'ooKLnR. 

